Kucinich: “Islam is a religion based upon peace, goodwill and the ethical treatment of all people on this planet”

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today made the following statement regarding the Committee on Homeland Security hearing titled “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community’s Response.”

“In the nine years since the dreadful attacks on September 11th, America has sought to reconcile differences among ourselves and with the world. We have sought friendship with Muslim and Arab communities. President Obama, at the beginning of his term, traveled to the Middle East, underscoring the importance of that region.

“Despite efforts to improve relations between our nation and the Muslim and Arab world, America has stumbled. Two wars have been waged in the Middle East, further degrading our image among the world’s Muslim and Arab people.

“A Congressional hearing to investigate our friends and neighbors jeopardizes the fragile progress we have made and creates a longer gap for peace to bridge.

“This hearing insinuates that violence and the Muslim religion go hand in hand. Nothing could be further from the truth. Islam is a religion based upon peace, goodwill and the ethical treatment of all people on this planet.

“This kind of stereotyping opens the door to discrimination against the 2.5 million Muslims that live peacefully among us in the United States of America and the 1.66 billion Muslims that live throughout the world. We must not allow the acts of a few stoke the flames of xenophobia and resentment in this nation. If this resentment grows, peace will be delayed.”